Join us live today as we welcome back Ganesh Cherian who is here to discuss the aspects of the Book of Mormon that clearly show its 19th century origins. What influences did Joseph Smith use to write the Book of Mormon? Do unique aspects of his life show up in the text?

From American patriotism and Native American policy to slippery treasure and evolving doctrines, this deep dive challenges the traditional narrative that the Book of Mormon is an ancient text. Based on Ganesh’s new book “Joseph Smith: The Architect of Mormonism” we answer the question: Did Book of Mormon Lamanites Exist?

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Show Notes

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PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

We are very excited this week to release a first-of-its-kind Mormon Stories episode! Born and raised in Hyderabad, India, Sirisha Shumway converted to Mormonism at the age of 14, against the wishes of her family. She quickly became a very devout member of her LDS community, served a mission, and even worked for the church as a translator.

After moving to the US to completer her education, Sirisha faced increasing pressure to marry and raise a family in the LDS faith. But when her husband began questioning church history, she embarked on her own faith crisis, uncovering disturbing truths about Joseph Smith, polygamy, and other deceptions about church history.

Topics include:

-Sirisha's upbringing in India

-Structure of the LDS church in India

-Church interfetance in family relationships

-And the long-lasting impact of high-demand religions on personal identity

We are grateful to Sirisha for sharing her story with us, and hope you enjoy this very unique episode.

___________________

Show Notes

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PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

We are back again with historian Dr. John Turner to explore Chapter Eleven of his new book Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. The chapter is titled “Pure Language” and covers the years 1831-1832 in Kirtland, Ohio. Turner discusses the stories of healing on the part of Joseph Smith, the controversy surrounding the publishing of the Book of Commandments as well as some of the members questioning Joseph Smith’s revelations. Dr. Turner also discusses Joseph Smith’s revelation on the three degrees of heaven and the possible connections to Emanual Swedenborg (as well as the fact that Hitler is in Mormon heaven!)

We also tackle some big questions:

-Is John Turner’s book just another hagiography idealizing his subject?

-Why did Alexander Campbell oppose Mormonism so vehemently?

-What are we to make of these stories of healing?

-Was the tar and feathering of Joseph Smith having to do with sexual impropriety?

You won’t want to miss this important episode in the Joseph Smith Podcast series!

___________________

Show Notes

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Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

• ⁠⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠⁠
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PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

What happens when a Mormon woman questions her faith—but doesn’t walk away entirely? In this week's interview, Olivia Calvert shares her journey of embracing doubts and shifts in belief. Choosing to live Mormonism in her own way, Olivia’s path leads her to what she calls “casual discipleship.” While we have explored stories like this before from men in the church, it is rare for an LDS woman to open up about her faith in this way.

Topics include:

-Purity culture

-Faith crises

-Church history

-Choosing to stay Mormon—on your own terms.

If you’ve ever felt like you don’t quite fit the Mormon mold, this story might be exactly what you need to hear. Join us as we talk about the many ways people are navigating Mormonism today.

___________________

Show Notes

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Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

• ⁠⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠⁠
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Contact us:

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PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Tune in today to hear John Turner discuss chapter 10 of his book, Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet. This chapter will focus on the question of if Joseph Smith gave early church missionaries permission to take Native Americans as plural wives. You will also get the chance to her John Turner answer listener questions regarding the series so far.

Don’t forget to like, subscribe, and share if you enjoy thoughtful conversations on religious history.

Please purchase the book ⁠here⁠.

To support this series please donate ⁠here⁠. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.

___________________

Show Notes

⁠YouTube⁠

Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

• ⁠⁠⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠⁠
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• ⁠⁠⁠Venmo⁠⁠⁠

Our Platforms:

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Contact us:

MormonStories@gmail.com

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Join us today for a unique Mormon Stories episode that is the first of its kind. Myndee Tollefson was born in Bountiful, Utah to an orthodox Mormon family. At just 19, she became pregnant and, feeling immense pressure from the Church and her family, gave her baby up for adoption through LDS Family Services—only to later discover that her child's life in the adoptive family was not what the Church promised.

Topics include:

-Toxicity of purity culture

-Unplanned pregnancy in Mormonism

-Harsh backlash from her family and LDS community

-Adoption within the LDS Family services program

-The church's role in facilitating and encouraging adoption

-Being a "birth mom"

-Troubled teen culture within Mormonism

Her story sheds light on the emotional and spiritual costs of institutional coercion, and the healing that comes with breaking free from this control.

___________________

Show Notes

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Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

• ⁠⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠
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Our Platforms:

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PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Welcome to another episode with Dr. John Turner! Today we are covering Chapter Nine of his new book “Joseph Smith: The Rise and Fall of an American Prophet." Chapter nine is titled “Flying High” and covers the year 1831 which mostly took place in Kirtland, Ohio for Joseph Smith and the early Saints.

Topics include:

-Comments from listeners on this podcast series

-Why Joseph Smith didn’t preach from the Book of Mormon

-Early criticism of the Book of Mormon

-Demonic possessions and miracles

-The United Order

-Missionaries teaching the Lamanites

Non-Mormon historian, John Turner, approaches these topics in refreshing and informed ways. You won’t want to miss this episode!

Please purchase the book here: https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300255164/joseph-smith/

To support this series please donate here: https://donorbox.org/josephsmith. One half of all donations will go to Dr. Turner for as long as he is participating in the series.

___________________

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Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

• ⁠⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Venmo⁠⁠

Our Platforms:

• ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠
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Contact us:

MormonStories@gmail.com

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117

Join us today as we resurface another classic Mormon Stories episode! Originally filmed in 2007, this interview is with Elbert Peck who was the editor of Sunstone Magazine from 1986-2001.

Topics will include:

-His early years in Washington D.C.

-His time at BYU with the Seventh East Press publication

-What led to him taking over Sunstone Magazine

-Interactions with other key Sunstone members

-Events leading up to the September Six excommunications of 1993

-The decline of Sunstone publications

We hope you enjoy the re-broadcast of this important interview, and look forward to seeing all of you at the 50th anniversary Sunstone Symposium this weekend! (July 31st - August 1st)

___________________

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Mormon Stories Thanks Our Generous Donors!

Help us continue to deliver quality content by becoming a donor today:

• ⁠⁠One-time or recurring donation through Donorbox⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Support us on Patreon⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠PayPal⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Venmo⁠⁠

Our Platforms:

• ⁠⁠YouTube⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Patreon⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Spotify⁠⁠
• ⁠⁠Apple Podcasts⁠⁠

Social Media:

• ⁠⁠Insta: @mormstories⁠⁠
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• ⁠⁠Join the Discord⁠⁠

Contact us:

MormonStories@gmail.com

PO Box 171085, Salt Lake City, UT 84117